Really not liking these moves right now. I was barely alright with Martin but non-tendering Karstens and then trading Hanrahan for Capuano, I can't get on board with that. Better shell out more big bucks on a LEGITIMATE starting pitcher, even if Capuano is acquired, or else I'm gonna jump on the "NH should be fired" bandwagon.

Pirates and Dodgers talking a Hanrahan for Capuano swap, and Karstens to be non tendered to make room for Martin.

Now, these are moves to get irritated about.

Don't know anything about Capuano, but non-tendering Karstens is precisely what I was hoping wouldn't, but expected would happen when Martin signed. So they improve the catching position at a huge increase in price, but sacrifice one of the more reliable (when healthy, albeit) and underrated pitchers on the staff, who likely would have come cheaply, compared to what he is worth.

Adding Martin and his $17 million in a vacuum isn't where my problem is/was -- it's the ramifications that come from paying one player that much money on a low-budget team with many holes/needs.

Defence21 wrote:Adding Martin and his $17 million in a vacuum isn't where my problem is/was -- it's the ramifications that come from paying one player that much money on a low-budget team with many holes/needs.

Well, that $17 million is going to filling arguably the pirates biggest hole, no?

Plus, it remains to be seen how much the pirates are going to be willing to spend on payroll in 2013. There final 2012 payroll was probably in the 50-60 mills range. Management has plenty of reasons to up the payroll by another $10-20 million. obviously they are clearing some payroll off the books from last year-corriea, bedard, barahahahas, and mcclouth free up over $10 million alone. Karstens is another $4 million or so.

Defence21 wrote:Adding Martin and his $17 million in a vacuum isn't where my problem is/was -- it's the ramifications that come from paying one player that much money on a low-budget team with many holes/needs.

Well, that $17 million is going to filling arguably the pirates biggest hole, no?

Plus, it remains to be seen how much the pirates are going to be willing to spend on payroll in 2013. There final 2012 payroll was probably in the 50-60 mills range. Management has plenty of reasons to up the payroll by another $10-20 million. obviously they are clearing some payroll off the books from last year-corriea, bedard, barahahahas, and mcclouth free up over $10 million alone. Karstens is another $4 million or so.

They are filling one of their bigger (possibly the biggest) hole -- but there remain many holes to fill, and giving this much to one player could be hampering them from filling others effectively. All reports are that the Pirates payroll will increase organically, according to Huntington and Nutting, to around $70 million. The question is, is that $70 million in actual salary or what they are paying players? If it's actual salary, they're pretty darn close once they tender who they have and fill in the holes with some cheapies. If it's based on what they are paying players, they have somewhere around $10-$15 million more to play with. Regardless of the situation, I've grown unimpressed with all things Pirates and have lost the little faith I had once I saw the team collapse (following a terrible trade deadline) with little/no ramifications. Nutting may want to win, but I see nothing to indicate he's willing to do what it takes to win -- and that isn't necessarily focused on spending, as Martin's signing indicates he will open his wallet, to an extent.

Pirates non-tender Karstens and Morton. Then turn around and sign Morton to a one-year $2 million deal. So, at least they're giving him another shot.

Really disappointed about the non-tender of Karstens. They don't have any internal options that will be ready by the start of the season (and we have to fill the #4 and #5 spots now) and no solid UFA is going to come anywhere close to the projected 3.8mill that Karstens would have made. Locke and/or McPherson MIGHT be ready, but you're counting on a rookie with little MLB experience. And if he fails, there's no backup plan until Morton comes back or Cole comes up. I keep trying to come up with a reason to non-tender him, but I can't find one. This move makes no sense to me.

Resop to Oakland for a high A-ball pitcher (Zack Thornton).

Yamaico Navarro to Baltimore for a rookie-ball pitcher (Jhondaniel Medina).

schreibdog wrote:Pirates non-tender Karstens and Morton. Then turn around and sign Morton to a one-year $2 million deal. So, at least they're giving him another shot.

Really disappointed about the non-tender of Karstens. They don't have any internal options that will be ready by the start of the season (and we have to fill the #4 and #5 spots now) and no solid UFA is going to come anywhere close to the projected 3.8mill that Karstens would have made. Locke and/or McPherson MIGHT be ready, but you're counting on a rookie with little MLB experience. And if he fails, there's no backup plan until Morton comes back or Cole comes up. I keep trying to come up with a reason to non-tender him, but I can't find one. This move makes no sense to me.

Resop to Oakland for a high A-ball pitcher (Zack Thornton).

Yamaico Navarro to Baltimore for a rookie-ball pitcher (Jhondaniel Medina).